Acetylene-generator.



No. 789,856. PATENTED MAY 16, 1905. F. HOLLY.

AUETYLENE GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7,1904. RENEWED APRHB. 1905.

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PATENTED MAY 16, 1905.

F. HOLLY.

AGETYLENE GENERATOR.

APPLIGATION FILED JUNE 7.1904. RENEWED APR. 8. 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

STATES Patented May 16, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

ACETYLENE-GENERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 789,856, dated May 16,1905. Application filed June 7, 1904. Renewed April 8, 1905. Serial No.254,590.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK HoLLY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri,have invented new and useful Improvements in Acetylene-Generators, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates primarily to a generating apparatus foreconomically and continuously manufacturing acetylene gas in smallquantities for domestic use. The principle, however, may be applied tolarge plants for commercial use.

The principal object of my invention is to generate acetylene gas in anopen tank containing a large quantity of water byintroducingsuccessively thereinto and at suitable times proportionately smallamounts of carbid, which after being exhausted may be withdrawn from thewater independently of a second charge of carbid automatically followingthe exhaustion of the first charge and a fresh charge substituted. Bythus putting small charges of carbid in succession in a large quantityof water the generated gas, heated by the chemical reaction, is greatlyreduced in temperature and rendered practically odorless. The loss ofgas by this process is insignificant and all danger of explosion byinternal pressure made impossible.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a verticallongitudinal section through my improved apparatus. Fig. 2 is a planView, on a larger scale, of a portion of my apparatus, showing moreclearly the automatic trip mechanism. Fig. 3 is a detail view insection, taken on the line 3 3, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a longitudinalsectional view of the carbid-cartridge and its holder. Fig. 5 is asectional View on the line 5 5, Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate the same parts on the severalfigures.

On a baseA is placed a gas-generating tank B, a gas-holder C, and atripping mechanism D, operated by the gas-holder for automaticallycausing the carbid holders or cartridges E to be immersed in watercontained in the gas-generating tank B. The several sections of myapparatus placed as above described are not a necessary part of theinvention; but for the purpose of illustration they are so grouped.

The generating-tank B, supported on legs B and by inclined braces F, hasits bottom and inner side helically curved in the manner indicated inFig. 1, the curvature continuing over the top and into the tank in suchmanner as to form a partition 6 within the tank, dividing it into anopen water-space b and a gas-collecting chamber 5. Supported on theinclined braces F is a plate or table G of a width substantially that ofthe, generatingtank B and extending from the base A to the top of saidtank. The upper surface of the plate G is tangential to the curved topof the generating-tank, to which plate is secured a series of guides orways 9, that extend over the top of the tank and around the partition 7)to its end. H represents strips or carriers of brass, phosphor-bronze,or other spring metal non-corrosive in water, which are adapted to slidein the Ways or guides g, each strip or carrier having a shoulder ortooth b on its lower end to be engaged by a pawl I, while on its upperend is fastened a spring-holder K for carrying a carbid-cartridge E.

To a frame M, extending above the generator-tank B, are attached anumber of spiral springs H, the lower end of each spring being fastenedto a pin /z on a corresponding carrier H. The gas-holder C is of theusual construction, having an outer tank 0 and vertically-movable innertank or bell c, with a water seal and gas inlet and outlet pipes 0 0respectively. Depending from the top of the bell c is an arm C, thelower end of which is turned horizontally, as at 0*, and provided with ahorizontal opening c, through which passes a fiat vertically-pivoted barN. The bar N is journaled and supported in an upright position in abearing n, let into a baseplate 0, and at the base of said bar andloosely mounted to turn thereon is a crown ratchetwheel N, on the hub ofof which is a tooth a. An arm n projects laterally from the vertical barN and has pivoted thereto a pawl N to engage the teeth of the crownratchetl wheel N and give it a partial rotation when the vertical bar N,turned by the arm C in its downward movement, passes a spiral turn a onsaid vertical bar.

Pivoted to the plate 0 around the ratchetwheel N are a number of leversP, there being as many levers P as carriers H. Four are shown in thedrawings; but this number may be increased or diminished. Each lever Pis held in contact with the hub 41. by means ofa plate-springz' pressingon a pawl 1, connected to a lever P by a wire, rod, or other connectionp.

The carbid-cartridge E is formed of a truncated conical metal case a,the smaller end a being closed and provided with a depression 6 whilethe larger end is open; but when in use it is temporarily closed by apiece of sponge e or similar material held in place by a woven-wirecover a.

The carbid-cartridge is held in position by a holder of spring metalriveted to the end of the carrier next the generating-tank B, one end ofsaid holder K being bent into a hook it to engage the larger end of thecartridge E, While its opposite end is turned upward, ending in a loop7t" and finger-piece The loop it enters the depression 0 of thecartridge.

The pipe 0 leading to the gas-holder, leaves the gas-collecting chamber5 of the generating-tank B near the top at 1), running thence to thebottom of the holder, into which it enters, and passes thence up throughthe water to near the top of the bell c. The outlet-pipe 0 passesdownwardly parallel with the inletpipe and out through the side of theholder near the bottom. Passing as they do through the water in thegas-holder, the pipes are kept cool and the temperature of the gasreduced.

The operation is as follows: Before the generation of gas begins all thecarriers H are drawn down until the pawls I engage the lugs h thereon.In this position of the carriers the cartridge-hold ers are on top ofthe generatingtank B. A cartridge E is inserted in each holder K byengaging its larger end with the hook 7:; and pressing its closed endagainst the loop 7a, which will spring into the depression 0 of thecartridge. The bell 0 of the holder will at this time be in its lowestposition, the horizontal portion 0 of the arm G being below the spiralturn a" of the vertical rod N. One of the pawls I may now'be disengagedby hand from its connection with a carrier, which latter under theinfluence of its spring H will slide upward in its guides 9 until it isstopped by the pin it striking a bar B extending across thegenerating-tank. The cartridge will be carried by the movement of thecarrier through the water-space 6 around the partition 6 to the innerpart or gas-collecting chamber of the tank. It will be observed that thecartridges are so placed on the carrier that their open ends will enterthe water first, which arrangementadmits only the minimum amount of airinto the water, the gas generated being thus kept free from anappreciable mixture of air which is detrimental to the brilliancy of thelight and if in suflicient quantity is liable to cause an explosion whenthe gas is ignited. In its operative position the cartridge is held withits larger or open end upward, so that water passing through the spongein the mouth of the cartridge combines with the carbid within and thereaction takes place, releasing acetylene gas. The gas escapes throughthe sponge and collects in the top of the tank B, passing from thencethrough the pipe 0 into the gas-holder, lifting the hell 0, with the armU the latter turning the vertical bar backward a quarter-revolution. Thepawl N during this backward movement passes over the teeth of the crownratchet-wheel N. The gasholder is of such size as to safely hold all thegas generated by the cartridges. As the gas is used the hell 0' falls.downward with it engages the spiral turn a and causes the pawl N to turnthe ratchetwheel N until the tooth n on its hub rocks the lever P nextin order. The latter through the connections described will raise thepawl I connected thereto and release the carrier held thereby, carryinganother cartridge into the water. This automatic movement continuesuntil all the cartridges have been used. In the meantime each carriermay be drawn down individually into engagement with its pawl, theexhausted cartridge removed, and a new one inserted in its place.

The quantity of Water in the generatingtank being so much greater inquantity than the charge of carbid, the heat and odor generated by thechemical reaction are absorbed by the water, and the gas emergestherefrom at a comparatively low temperature and with little odor, aboutninety per cent. of the heat being absorbed. The water in the tank iskept practically free from sediment by incasingthe carbid, the residuethereof remaining in the cartridge. Should, however, any sedimentcollect in the tank, it can be drawn oif through the cock 5 If at anytime the generation of gas be so great that it cannot be carried offthrough the outlet-pipe, the tank cannot explode by the internalpressure, as it is not sealed otherwise than by the water containedtherein, which would be forced out of the tank and the gas allowed toescape before the pressure reached the danger-point.

While I have represented one form of apparatus adapted to perform thefunctions of my improved acetylene-gas generator, it is to be understoodthat I do not confine myself to the exact construction and arrangementof parts described and shown, but reserve the The arm U moving ICC rightto make such change and reorganiza tion of parts as fall Within thelimits of my invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In anacetylene-gas apparatus, the combination. of a partly-opengenerating-tank, a curved partition therein continuous with the top ofsaid tank, a plate or table tangential to said curved top, and aplurality of carbid-carriers adapted to slide over said plate and aroundsaid partition.

2. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination of a partly-opengenerating-tank, a curved partition therein continuous with the top ofsaid tank and forming a gas generating and collecting chamber, a plateor table tangential to said curved top, and a plurality ofcarbid-carriers adapted to slide over said plate and around saidpartition, each carbid-carrier having an independent movement.

3. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination of a generating-tank,a curved partition therein continuous with the top of said tank dividingit into an open water-space and a gas generating and collecting chamber,a plate or table tangential to the top of said tank, a plurality ofindependently-movable carbidcarriers adapted to slide over said plateand around said partition, and means for securing a charge of carbid toeach of said carriers.

4:. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination ofa generating-tankadapted to contain water, a curved partition therein continuous with thetop of said tank, a tangential plate or table, carbid-carriersindependently movable over said plate and around said partition, meansfor attaching a charge of carbid to each carrier, means forindependently and successively immersing each attached carbid charge,and means for holding said charge out of the tank.

5. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination of a generating-tankadapted to contain water, independently-slidable flexible carriers, eachhaving a carbid-holder at one end and a lug on the other, means such asa spring for independently moving each carrier and immersing itscarbid-holding end in said tank, means for separately engaging the lugon each of said carriers, and means for successively disengaging them.

6. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination with a gas-holder, ofa pivoted vertical bar havinga spiral twist, carbid-feeding mechanismincluding a ratchet-Wheel, a pawl or its equivalent on said bar adaptedto oper ate said ratchet-Wheel, and means carried by said gas-holder tocoact with the twisted portion of said vertical bar and oscillate it ateach rise and fall of the gas-holder to actuate said pawl.

7. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination with a gas-holder, ofa pivoted vertical bar having a spiral twist, a pawl or its equivalenton said bar adapted to operate detaching devices, carbid-carriersadapted to engage said detaching devices, and means carried by saidgas-holder to coact with the twisted portion of said vertical bar andpartially turn said bar at each rise and fall of the gas-holder.

8. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination with a gas-holder, ofa pivoted ver-- tical bar having a spiral twist, a Wheel adapted to beintermittently rotated, a pawl or its equivalent on said bar adapted tointermittently rotate said wheel, detaching devices, each successivelyoperated by the movement of the wheel, carbid-holders adapted to engagesaid detaching devices, and means carried by said gas-holder tooscillate the vertical bar.

9. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination of a partly-opengenerating-tank adapted to contain water, a curved partition thereincontinuous with the top of said tank and forming a gas generating andcollecting chamber with a water seal, a plate or table tangential tosaid curved top, guides thereon and on said curved top and partition,and a plurality of carbid-carriers adapted to slide in said guides.

10. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination of a generating-tankadapted to contain water, independently-slidable flexible carriers, eachhaving a carbid-holder at one end and a lug on the other, means forindependently moving each carrier and immersing its carbid-holding endin said tank, means for separately engaging the lug on each carrier,means for successively disengaging them, and a stop to arrest-each ofsaid carriers after being disengaged.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK HOLLY.

Witnesses:

A. B. ANDERSON, E. MOD. CoLvIN.

